Posts Tagged wicking
Mountain Hardwear Zeus Waterproof Winter Gloves
Want some winter snow gloves that will take anything you throw at them? Waterproof gloves that stay dry on the outside but wick away any moisture on the inside?
These Zeus gloves from Mountain Hardwear perform well on those standards, but are flexible enough to do more than hold onto a ski pole. They’re outfitted with OutDry, which is one of the many breathable waterproof membranes out there competing with traditional market leader Gore-tex. In my wholly unscientific but real-world tests, the combination of OutDry and the waterproofing coating on the fabric did a great job. My tests are putting my gloved hands underwater for several minutes and making sure no water gets through, then putting a wet hand inside the glove and seeing if it dries eventually from the wicking properties. On both counts, these Zeus gloves from Mountain Hardwear passed with an A, so you can be sure they’ll come through for you on the slopes or in Iceland in the winter.
I wore these around in windy weather in the mountains last February (before they hit the market), then recently in Utah during a slushy snowstorm. Snowball throwing and all.
These gloves are bulletproof tough, with Kevlar stitching, Cordura nylon fabric, and goatskin leather at the stress points. They come down far enough that snow won’t get in past the cuff. They have loops to help pull them on and clips to hold them together for carrying. Despite the toughness and fleece lining, they come in at 7.5 ounces and smash down pretty flat, so they’re no burden to pack.
The Zeus gloves come in black or red and list for $95 at the Mountain Hardwear site. You can also check prices with these direct links to Backcountry.com, Altrec, or Moosejaw. No, that’s not cheap by any means, but these are guaranteed for life against defects and they could last you a lifetime—or at least enough winters that you’ll get tired of looking at them.
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Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, General Gear on February 1st, 2012
YMX by Yellowman Maori Swirl Sun Tee
Cotton clothing may be soft and lovely, but it’s rarely what you need when you’re trying to keep cool and dry in a tropical climate. The YMX by Yellowman Maori Swirl Sun Tee is a lightweight, long-sleeved T-shirt that does both well.
Made of MadKool fabric (92 percent polyester and 8 percent spandex) the thin shirt is enough to cover you up without heating you up. It also has UV protection, with 50+ SPF. Wear it for a long hike in the sun (when you might forget to reapply the sunscreen) or wear it in the water when you’re snorkeling (when sunscreen won’t stay on for long).
The bright Maori swirl design was my favorite, since I recently traveled to New Zealand, but there are plenty of options in a variety of colors and designs. With these shirts, there’s no hiding in the background.
The Maori Swirl Sun Tee has a slim fit, so if you’re looking for a bit of a relaxed fit, it’s best to choose a size up. That’s what I did, and it was enough to get a comfortably slim fit. If you’re a fan of the baggy look, you may want to consider two sizes up.
The only slight bummer for me is that the arm and shoulder seams aren’t flat, so I can’t use this tee very effectively as a rash guard under a wetsuit. Otherwise, it’s versatile enough to wear on the outside or as a performance base layer.
The Maori Swirl Sun Tee lists for $89 on the YMX by Yellowman website.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on January 6th, 2012
Athleta Whatever Skort
I ducked into an Athleta store this summer with a girlfriend who, like me, travels a lot and likes to have versatile clothing for outdoor adventures at home and abroad. She walked straight to a rack against the wall, pulled out a skirt, and proclaimed: “I love this! I even got one for my sister.”
It wasn’t just a skirt. It was the Whatever Skort. I have to admit, I was a skeptic at first, but she felt so strongly that I had to buy one and see for myself. After wearing it nearly non-stop while hiking in the Grand Canyon, I bought another one in a different color. She was right.
The moisture wicking and quick drying Featherweight Stretch polyester/spandex fabric is lightweight and slightly stretchy. The semi-fitted, A-line skirt has faux pleats and drapes nicely without being bulky. Built-in shorts are made from the same fabric, and allow you to be as adventurous as you want on your travels without worrying about showing off too much.
The Whatever Skort is available in regular, tall and petite versions, and colors range from deep purple to khaki to black. It’s comfortable enough to wear while hiking or sightseeing, but fashionable enough to wear to lunch without having to stop in between for a costume change.
With the inconvenience and cost of checked baggage, the fewer clothing items in my suitcase, the better. So anything that does double duty and looks good gets a permanent place in my packing list.
The Athleta Whatever Skort lists for $49 on the Athleta website. Some colors are currently on sale for $39.99—while supplies last.
Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on December 30th, 2011
Craghoppers NosiLife Travel Shirt
Can any company put out a long-sleeve buttoned travel shirt at this point that’s any different from all the others already on the racks? Well this NosiLife one from Craghoppers is a noticeable improvement in some respects.
Like the Craghoppers travel pants I reviewed a while back, this shirt’s most-touted feature is its permanent insect repellent built into the fabric. Most clothing like this is guaranteed for 70 washes or so, which let’s face it is plenty for most people, but if you plan on wearing one around the world for a couple years, you could pass that point. With this shirt you don’t have to keep track or guess whether you’ve still got the extra protection against mosquitoes.
The “like the others, but more” attitude extends through all the other features as well. It’s got five pockets, including one with a zipper that you can see that goes from above the left chest pocket to below it, opening up a pocket big enough for a map or just giving you some extra venting through the mesh. Inside one of the flap pockets is a hidden zipper pocket that’s the right size for a passport. It has quality buttons, yes, but they’re also secured by a strong strip of nylon running the length of the shirt—not individual threads that will unravel. There’s mesh around the neck—a nice touch—and a reinforcement flap under the collar that keeps it looking better.
Otherwise it has everything you would expect in high-end adventure travel clothing: strong wicking fabric, loops for rolling up and securing the sleeves, quick-dry properties for sink washing, a hook on the back to hang it, and venting mesh around the shoulders. This shirt is as tough as any I’ve tried, but is still incredibly lightweight.
This Craghoppers travel shirt comes in six colors and as I write this it’s available for half the list price ($32 instead of $64) at the Craghoppers website, which is a screaming bargain. It holds its own against any of the competitors out there and has all the features you’ll need.
As with the pants I reviewed before, you’ll have a tough time finding this shirt elsewhere online in the U.S., so buy direct unless you’re in Europe and can get it from Amazon UK.
Posted by Tim L. in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on December 28th, 2011
Snow Angel Cybersilk Crew Neck and Graphic Legging
For women, the days of being limited to wearing bulky men’s performance thermals or cute but wimpy women’s base-layer garments are long over. Pull on Snow Angel’s Cybersilk Crew Neck and Graphic Legging before you suit up for the cold weather, and you’ll be warm and stylish.
Whether you’re a neighborhood runner, a ski fan, or a backcountry adventurer, having a comfortable fit with fabric that breathes and stretches makes going out in the cool weather a snap. And being outfitted property for your travels is a major key to enjoying them.
This silk-weight microfiber jersey moves easily under layers and the antimicrobial finish helps keep everyone from knowing just how seriously you get into your outdoor activities. Besides staying warm, the fabric wicks moisture away, so you’re comfortable for as long as your adventures last.
In the crew neck, extra long arms reach to mid-hand and include thumb holes to keep wrists warm, yet the fit is loose enough to allow easy movement. An hourglass fit with princess seams fits much better than unisex styles. And the graphic print down the arms makes me want to wear it on the outside of my clothing, rather than underneath.
The low-rise leggings sit just below the waistline for a comfortable fit. The fabric is perfectly lightweight, but not sheer—and the graphic print on the back of the waistband is nice for continuity without being “matchy-matchy.”
The Snow Angel Cybersilk Crew Neck Top and Graphic Legging list for $59 and $50, respectively, on the Snow Angel website.
Check prices on the legging and crew neck top at Amazon.
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Posted by Jill in Adventure Gear, Travel Light on December 9th, 2011
